Card game



June 1 1926. i 1,586,759

M. c. MEYER CARD GAME Filed Dec. 5, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet l 7&2 I

2 Emmy R his ATTORNEYS June 1,1926.

. M. C. MEYER CARD GAME 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 5, 1925 Wen- W GJQI.

FIGZZO INVENTOR BY B /3, a" 19 ms ATTORNEYS June "'1 1926. v

M. c. MEYER CARD GAME Filed Dec. 5, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fae/8,

INVENTOR B Y A9w-17+ 'Ms ATTORNEYS June 1 1926. 1,586,759

M. c. MEYER CARD GAME Filed DeC- 5. 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 fills ATTORNEYS Patented June 1, 1926.

MAXIMHJIAN C. MEYER, 0F BROUKLYN, NEW YORK.

seen

Application filed December 5, 1925. erial No. 73,297.

This invention relates to a card game, and more particularly to the game of 'base ball played by means of suitable playing cards, ,adequate in number to execute the majority of the major plays pf base ball.

One object oflthe invention is to provide a new and fascinating card game. that re quires skill to win, the element of chance being reduced to a small percentage.

A further-object, of the invention is to provide a game of playing cards adequate in amount for convenient manipulation and for economical production.

,A further object is to provide a game to be played with cards, according to the standard .rules of base ball.

[I .A further object is to provide playing cards having such indications or directions thereon as, under suitable rules of play, will enable the game of baseball to be followed according to the standard rules of that sport. I

Other objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention consists in the provision of a plurality or a deck or pack of playing cards having thereon indications, designs,

'.marks or directions of such nature as to The disclosed game uses 27 cards for a deck, but T do not wish to be limited in this respect except as required by the claims, since it is possible to use a greater or less number of cards when desired.

I will describe the cards, and the various indications, designs, marks or directions in my invention.'

While the cards of my deck do not fall into what are known in the art as suits, it is possible to group them inseveral ways depending upon the particular indicia used l as a basis for the grouping. Thus, using the center picture of the card in Fig. 1 as a basis, there are twelve cards with this pic ture thereon. Using that in Fi 3 as a basis, there are twelve cards in t e group, and using that in Fig. 4, there are three in the group. Twelve of the cards are marked in the corner with the word Fast, seven with the word In and eight with the word Out.

There is one card Fig. 9, showing a hit pitcher, three cards Figs. 25, 26 and 27, showing the double play marking and the manner played. Thus, in Fig. 27, the play is from second base to first base, in Fig. 26 from short stop to third base, and then to second base. llnFig. 25, the play is from ghird base, to home plate, and then to first ase.

Inigs. l to 8,- the circle with the square in the center represents a single to right field (RF) or to left field (LF). The circle with the two white hemispheres in Figs. 10 to ,12, indicate a two base hit either to right field '(RF) or to left field (LF). Those with three white segments, Figs. 19 and 20, ind cate a three base hit to left center field (LCF) or to right center field (RCF). The circle with the four white segments, Fig. 21, indicates a home run to deep center field (DGF).

- In Figs. 13 to 18, the illustration at the side of the card indicates a throw out to first base by either the catcher (0), third baseman (TB baseman (FB short stop (SS), or pitcher (P). In Figs; 22, 23, and 24 there isshown at the side of the card an indication representing that the batter flied out to center field)(CF), left field '(LF) or right field RF Two or more persons can play the game,

, second baseman (SB), first 1 and a game is regarded as being completed 7 at the end of nine innings.

When more than two persons desire to pla teams may be chosen, one member of each team being termed the captain.

A member of each or either team ma act or play for one or more members 0 the team, or, if desired, the members of each team may act or playsuccessively in regular batting order. p

- In the preparation for playing the game, the cards are shuflied or mixed and then spread out, face downward.- Each player,

captain of each team if opposing teams are playing, draws a card. The player member or captain of a team drawing a card having thereon previously selected, indication or feature, such, for example, as a red ball, is supposed to take the field, while the other player or team is supposed to be in or batters. The drawingof cards is repeated if both cards drawn contain the same preselected indication.

Having thus determined who and which team will take the field, the player or member of that team who. isfto represent the pitcher mixes or shufiles the cards. The opponent or the member of the opposing team who is to represent the first batter up, then cuts the deck. The pitcher proceeds to deal the cards, one to his opponent and then one to himself, and so on, until a by each player holding his selected card up or in front of him with its face towards himself. In the second motion, the two .selected cards are placed simultaneously on the table between the players, the'pitchers card'at all times being placed withface up, and the batters card being placed either a with its face up or with its face down according to the choice of the batter.- The play of the pitchers card signifies that a ball is served or pitched to the batter. Theplay of batters card with its face up signifies that the batter attempts to strike at or'connect with the pitched or A served ball. The play of the batters card face down signifies that the batter proposes to let the pitched or served ball pass without attempting to strike at it or connect with it. r

The character of the pitched ball pitched or served by the pitcher, that is, whether it is an inshoot or an outshoot, or a straight fast ball, is determined by desi gns, pictures,

' words, letters or 1 other representations,

printed or otherwise, produced on the faces of the cards, and, for this purpose, groups of cards of the deck are provided with suitable indications or markings. These indications or markings may be-of any desired nature or character. For illustration ofone form in which this may be carried out,

. although it is to be understood that my invention is not to be limited in this respect,

the cards in one group may have the word In printed thereon, or a pictorial representation of a base ball, as indicated at 11 in Fig. 8, to signify a pitched ball pitched or served by the pitcher with an inshoot or an incurve, when the pitcher selects and plays a card of this group. The play of a card of this group by the pitcher is recorded as a safe hit, a sacrifice hit, an

out, a strike, or a ball according to the.

card played by the batter, or whether the batter, in playing his card, does so in a manner, above explained, to signify his intention to hit at the pitched ball, or to let the pitched ball pass without attempting to strike at it. If the batter plays his card face up, and its designation or printed design, picture, feature or the like matches that of the card played by the pitcher, that signifies thatthe batter attempted to connect with the pitched ball and succeeded, resu'itin in a safe hit, a sacrifice hit, or "an out. If t lie card played by the batter face up fails to match with the card played by the pitcher, that would indicate that the batter struck at the pitched or served ball and failed to connect, and a strike is recorded. In case the batter plays his card face down, thereby signifying his intention to let the pitched or served ball pass without attempting to strike at or connect with it, and the pitched ball is an inshoot or incurve, as indicated on the face of the card played by the pitcher, then the play is recorded as a ball.

In like manner the cards of' another group may be marked, printed, or otherwise constructed, to signify an outshoot or outcur'v'e when played by the pitcher, and such a play is recorded likewise as a safe hit, a sacrifice hit, an out, a strike or a ball, according to the play, and the card played by the batter in the same way, as above explained with reference to the inshoot or incurve; 'And as one illustrative form of this designation, arking a feature in thisv group of cards, the word out is printed thereon, or on a pictorial representation of a ball, as shown at 7 in Fig. 4.

. Similarly, the cards of another group are printed, marked or otherwise constructed to signify that a fast straight ball is pitched or served when sucha card is played by the pitcher; that is, the ball that passes over the plate within the range of height constituting a strike according to the standard base ball rules. F or illustrative purposes the word Fast is shown printed on the card or on the pictorial representation of the base ball, as'indicated at 1 in Fig. 1. Whena card of this group'is selected and played by the pitcher, it is recorded as a safe hit or otherwise, according to the play, and the card played by the batter.

If the batter plays his card face down, a strike is scored against him. If he plays a card face up which fails to match thecard played by the pitcher itlikewise is recorded'as a strike, and if he plays a card face up which matches that played by the pitcher it signifies he connected wit the pitched ball, resulting in either a safe .hit, a sacrifice hit, or an out.

If 'desired, and in order to more readily distinguish. the cards of these respective groups, the indications,'11, 7 and 1, whatever be theform or nature. thereof, may be of relatively different colors. For example, the indications 11 may all be yellow, 7 may be blue, and 1', red. My invention, however, is not to be restricted in this respect.

As above indicated, when the pitcher plays a card from one or-another of the groups referred to, from his hand, it indicates that he pitches or serves to the batter a pitched ball of the character indicated on the card so selected and played. And when the batter simultaneously plays a card fromhis hand, but plays it face down, that indicates that the batter makes no attempt to hit orfconnect with the pitched ball, with the-result as above explained, of scoring a strike or a ball 'ac-' cording to the nature of the card played by the pitcher. On thB-Ot-llQL hiLIld, when .the cardv is played by-the batter face up, and it matches with the card. played by the pitcher with resp'ectto thenature of the pitched. or served ball as printed, marked or 1 otherwise produced thereon, such a play signifies that the batter connects with or succeeds in hitting the pitched or served ball, and scores; a hit either safe or otherwise, as will be hereinafter more fully explained. If the card played by the batter face up fails to match with that played by the-pitcher in the manner described, such play signifies that the batter struck at the pitched or served ball but missed it, thereby scoring a strike. U

Having now explained the card game of my invention with special reference to one of the major phases of the game of base ball, namely, that phase; which particularly concerns the pitcher and-the batter, I will now describe the other features of the card game with reference to other major phases of the game of base ball, particularly the phases of such game which concern the results of the hits scored by the batter, whether they be safe hits. or otherwise, and the resulting fielding or base running operations. It being understood, of course, that in scoring'th'e plays with the cards the standard rules of the base ball gamecare to be observed. For instance, three strikes made and recorded against a batter puts him out, and four balls recorded allows the batter to take first base, and a base runner already on first base to go to second base, and so on. Whenone player of a team nine or side strikes out or is given a base on balls, another player or member of the team nine or side takes his place as batter. .And when three men on a team nine or side is put out by strikes, or by proper fielding or in base running, as will be explained hereinafter, the side or team retires and exchanges places at the table or in dealing the cards, that is, the pitcher becomes the batter or the reverse, or a member of the team which be fore were batters or on the offensive, be come the pitcher or play the defensive part of the game, and a member of the opposing team becomes the batter; all in strict accordwith the standard rules of base ball. .T

Each card, except the one illustrated in F1g. 9 of .the deck, in accordance with my lnvention, contains a suitable indication of one or, another possible results of the batter connecting With a pitchediban This indication'inay be printed, marked or otherwise produced or illustrated on the variouscards, and may be of any desired or suitable form-or design. Thus, for illustrative purposes, a rectangle inscribed within a circle, asindicated at 2, 4(and 5, Figs. 1,

2 and 3, respectively, represents a one-base hit, a circle divided into .two parts, as indicated, for example, at 13, Fig. 10,-represents a two base hit, a circle divided into three parts, as indicated at 22, 23, Figs. 19 and 20, respectively, represents'a three-base'hit; a circle divided into four parts, as indicated at 24, Fig. .21, represents a home run, or a four-base hit. i

The one exception above noted, to the indication of the result of the pitched ball, occurs when the batteris struck by the pitched ball,.permitting the hit' batter to a free base. This result may be likewise indicated by'an appropriate design, figure, lettering or otherwise. For illustrative purposes, l have shown at 12, Fig. 9 a pictorial illustration of a batter in-the path of the pitched ball. Of course it is to be understood that any other suitable or appropriate illustration lettering or design conveying, suggesting or indicating the idea that the batter is struck by the pitched or served ball may be used for this purpose.

In order to avoid unnecessary complicationsand delays in the playing of the game according to my invention, I have eliminatcd any cards carrying indications of foul balls and fielding errors. These eliminations, however, do not detract substantially from the interest of the gam.

The placing of the hit ball, that is, the

territory within which the hit ball lands.

. may, likewise, be indicated on the various same purpose, appears on a card played by the pitcher, and the card played by the batter scores a hit, the designations on the pitchers card determine the nature andchar'acter of the hit, that is, whether a one base, two base, three base home run hit, and whether to right field,-center field, left field, and so on. Thus, the character, design, illustration, or the like, shown, .for example, at 2 in F ig.

1, indicates a single to right field, that of 4 in Fig. 2 indicates a single to center field, and that at 5 in Fig. 3 a single to left field. In like manner, the illustrative indications 13, 14 and 15, in Figs. 10, 11 and 12, signify respectively, two base hits or a double, to right-field; to center field and to left field; illustrative indications 22 and 23, in Figs. 19 and 20, signify respectively, a three base hit or three bagger to left'center field and'to right center field; and'24c, Fig. 21, signifies a home run to deep center field. These illustrative indications signify the results of safe hits, and the instances given are merely illustrative of the principles involved, it

i being understood that other possible safe hits may likewise be provided for by means of suitable indicia or other cardsof the deck. So, too, where the hit is not effective to enable the batter to reach first base cards of the deck are provided with indicia of appropriate character or signification. Thus, one or another of the illustrative examples shown at 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21, in Figs. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 respectively, appears on the card played by the pitcher and when the batter plays the proper card face up to record a hit, as hereinbefore explained, the recorded result of the hit is a grounder to either the catcher,

,"third baseman, second baseman, first baseman, short stop, or pitcher, respectively, who throws the batter out at first base. And the illustrative indications 25, 26, 27, Figs. 23. 24, 25 respectively, signify that the batter hit a fly ball that was caught out by the left fielder, the center fielder or the right fielder, respectively.

In likemannenother possible fielding and base running plays may be indicated in suitable form on still other cards of the deck and the corresponding scores recorded in accordance with standard base ball practice. Thus reference numeral 29, Fig. 26, designates an illustrative form of indication signifying a fast ground ball hit by the batter to thesecond baseman, who, by tossing the ball to the short stop, guarding second base, forced out the runner from first base, the short stop, in turn, effecting a quick throw to first base putting the batter out, thereby completing a double 'play.

Reference numeral 30 in Fig. 27, indicates an illustrative example of a similar double play in which the batter hits to short stop, whose throw to third base forces 4 out the runner from second base, and then the third baseman snaps the ball to second base, thereby throwing out the runner from first base. In Fig. 25 the illustrative indication 28, signifies a double play when the bases are full. In this instance, the batter hits a fast grounder to third baseman, whose throw to home plate forces out the runner from third base, the catcher, in turn, whipping the ball to first base, putting out the batter.

In case the conditions are such that a double play, signified by the pltchers card cannot be made effective, then the indication appearing on, the card played by the batter will determine the play,

It will be quite obvious that other cards may be included in the deck in accordance with my invention containing indications representing other possible fielding plays encountered in playing a game of base ball, but the instances above given are illustrative of the principles involved.

Of course, it is to be understood that in the various example of base running and fielding plays hereinbefore mentioned, there should be the appropriate base runners on ,"the various bases involved, in order to make the various plays effective. It is also to be understood that.base running, safe hits, runs, flies, outs, and the like, as wells as the batting and pitching plays are to be scored in accord with the standard rules of the base ball game. Likewise, the rul'esof the base ball game with regard to a base runner advancing where a batter is caught out at first base, are to be observed.

' In carrying out my invention, I alsopropose to provide a way to permit the pitcher the. privileges of making one attempt to catch a base runner off base before he delivers or serves each ball to the batter In playing the card game this result is accomplished by the pitcher first declaring aloud which base runner he will try to catch off base. After so declaring, the pitcher then'drawsa card from the pack or that portion of the deck which, initially is placed face down on the table. The

at 6 in Fig. 3, the base runner is caught 01? base. But if the pitcher draws a card containing a group picture or other suitable .marking, such as is indicated at 3, Fig. 1, the

baserunner is not caught ofi' base.

I also propose to provide means whereby, base stealing may be attempted, in playing the-card game of my invention, with results, as to success or'failure, and scoring in i 'a ccord -with the standard rules of base ball. In case an attempt is to be made by a runner or runners to'steal bases, this play can be attempted only when the pitcher serves a ballto the plate, and the batter must declare which base runner or runners- Will make. the attempt. This declaration must be made after the first motion of the pitcher in playing a card, and before the second motion of the play is executed. In

-case the batter connects with the pitched ball after making the declaration referred to, for a base hit, or a single or better, the base runner on first base and all the runners ahead ofhim will score a run, on this hit and determine the result 0 any the succeeding cards of the deck or pack are rum play. Should the batter fail to connect with the pitched ball after making the declaration with reference to runners who will attempt to steal, then the catcher throws the ball to the base the runner is attempting to steal and relayed to other basemen to execute the required play. The result of this play is indicated by appropriate markings on the top card ofthe deck or pack or -portion thereof initially placed on the table. This top card! is drawn by the batter or by the captain or other member of his team. Y

, .An indication of the type'or nature of that shown at '6,-Fig. 3 or 3 of Fig. 1, will or an runners attempting to steal. Should the top card of the deck or pack contain an illustration of indication of a difierent nature or type, then to be drawn until a card is drawn with one or other illustrations or indications of the character or type of 6 or 3, appearing thereon. This card, so drawn, will determine the results of the play. In like manner, a base runner or runners are privileged to attempt to advance one base after a fly ball is caught. This play, in accordance'with a card game embodying my invention is executed and determined in the same manner as that above described in connection with base runners attempting to steal bases. In-case the batter or the captain or other member of the team. decides to refrain from attempting to advance a base runneror runners after a,

fly is caught, then the fielder who caught the ball is permitted to attempt'to catch the base runner off the base nearest the #home plate. This play is executed in the same manner as in the case of an attempt at stealing a base or advancinga base after a fly is caught, and is determined, as to result, bythe character or type of illustration or marking of the card drawn from the pack or deck. I have shown at 9; Fig. 4, an illustration or marking such as will signify the success of the fielder in catching the runner off base. If a card having some other illustration or type is drawn, that will signify that the runner is safe.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that by providing suitable indicia on the cards, whiclpindicia may take any desired form and be applied to the cards in any desired manner, a deck or pack of playing c'ardsis produced by means of which the.

plays and situations arising in playing a reg'ular game of, base ball according to the standard rules may be played with the cards.

And it is obvious that by providing each card of the deck or pack with indicia indicating or representing the three major phases of action in playing base ball, name- ,ly, the phases of (a) pitchin and batting (5) base running and (c) fiel i or pack lends itself admirably to the working out of the variousplays and situations encountered in the standard game, or to the working out of rules, general or special, by which such plays" and situations may be simulated in playing'the card game, thereby adding interest and entertainment in the use of the cards.

ng, the deck It is obvious that provision may be made in'the rules for penalties of various kinds; special rules for each nine inning game played with the cards may be adopted;

standard or any desired score cards or forms may be adapted and used and so on.

While I have 'shownand described a deck or pack containing .twenty seven cards, my invention in its broadest scope, as defined in'the claims, is not to be limited in this re ect. p

aving now set forth the object and nature of my invention, and having shown and described a cardgame embodying the principles thereof, what I claim as new and useful and of my own invention, and desire to V secure by'Letters Patent is:

1. A- base ball card game comprising a plurality of cards having indicia thereon by. means of which base ball'plays may be having at least three of these indications,

and each card having a design thereon to indicate which play is effective 2. A rbase ball card game comprising a;

deck of twenty-seven. cards, some of said cards having three types of indicia thereon,-

others having four types of indicia thereon;

and others having five types of indicia thereon.

:3. In asbaseball card game, a plurality of cards having indicia thereon, by means of which baseball plays may be simulated, substantially'all of the cards having indicia thereon to indicate the particular portion at field to which the safe hits are made.

4. A base ball ,card game comprising a deck-of cards, each card having thereon indicia representing the three major phases of action of a base ball game comprising pitching and batting, base running and fielding.

5. A playing card deck; comprising a plurality of cards having a'center design of three types, indicating caught out stealing,

safe in stealing, and caught out in return- ,ing after an attempted steal, each of the cards. in the deck having one of these designs thereon.

6. A playing card deck comprising a plulrality of cards having illustrations at the side of each card, indicating singles, doubles, triples, home runs, throw o1its.'fly puts to the outfield, and double plays, each card' ,ball on each card.

having at least one of these illustrations thereon.

7. A playingcafd deck comprising a plurality of cards having'a center design of three typesjindicating caught out stealing, safe in stealing, caught out in returning after an attempted steal, each of the cards in the deck having one of these designs thereon, and designs representing a pitched 8. In a deck of playing cards, a plurality of cards each having thereon indications of one or'more baseballplays in combination witha design to indicate in playing the game, which baseball play has been effected.

9. In 'a deck of playing cards, a plurality of cards each having thereon indications of one or more baseball plays in combination with a design {to indicate in playing the game, which baseball play has been effected, and indicia to disclose when a play has been effected which player or players in the outfield or infield participated in the play.

10. In a baseball card game, a plufiality of cards having indicia thereon whereby a baseball game may be simulated, each card having thereon indicia indicating pitched balls and each of these indicia having associated therewith indicia to indicate whether the .ball pitched was either a straight Iast ball, an incurve or'an outc 'urve.

Injtestimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand on this 'day of November A. D.

MAXIMILIAN C. MEYER. 

